Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that Bord na Móna has made a commitment on the future of the briquette factories at Littleton and Derrinlough. I urge the witnesses to maximise the employment potential of the Littleton briquette factory.

Bord na Móna should document its position on the public service obligation and carbon tax and the impact they will have on the finances and revenue of the company. That should be circulated to every Member of the Oireachtas and, in turn, each Member should make their feelings known to the appropriate Minister, in this case the Minister for Finance. We need to know in precise numbers the cost of the decisions to Bord na Móna and how will it impact in the future, in particular in terms of employment.

The ongoing negotiations involve very difficult times for the workforce of Bord na Móna, many of whom are very long-serving employees of the company. I urge the witnesses to treat them, please, with dignity and respect, and with the courtesy they deserve. If protocols have to be changed to do that, then the company should, please, change them.